Three Republicans in the House of Representatives voted with Democrats to pass the Equality Act on Thursday afternoon, which will impact abortion, marriage, family, gender, sports and more.
In a 224-206 vote, the House passed the Equality Act. H.R. 5 would amend the 1964 Civil Rights Act in order to prevent “discrimination on the basis of sex, gender identity and sexual orientation.” Three Republicans voted with Democrats in favor of the act.
The act would mandate that individuals cannot be denied access to the locker room of their choice.
THESE THREE REPUBLICANS VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE EQUALITY ACT:
- Pennsylvania Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick
- New York Rep. John Katko
- New York Rep. Tom Reed
Rep. John Katko, R-N.Y., is seen in the Capitol Rotunda before the House voted to impeach President Donald Trump for inciting an insurrection on Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021. (Photo By Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
“An individual shall not be denied access to a shared facility, including a restroom, a locker room and a dressing room, that is in accordance with the individual’s gender identity,” according to the bill’s text. (RELATED: House Passes Equality Act, Provides Civil Rights Protections To Gay And Transgender People)
In 2019, there were eight House Republicans who voted in favor of the Equality Act, including Indiana Rep. Susan Brooks, Florida Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, Pennsylvania Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, Texas Rep. Will Hurd, Oregon Rep. Greg Walden, and New York Reps. John Katko, Tom Reed and Elise Stefanik, Fox News reported. (RELATED: Here’s What’s In The Equality Act)
The legislation will now head to the Senate, where it would need 60 votes to avoid a filibuster. President Joe Biden promised to pass the Equality Act during his first 100 days of office in October 2020 when he was still the Democratic nominee.